2. For dark circles, "a creamy concealer is easier to blend near the delicate eye area," says Dubroff. (Try Lancôme Effacernes concealer, $29.50.) The goal is to brighten, so choose a color that's a notch lighter than your skin: If you're fair, look for a pinkish tone; for medium skin, something peachy; and if you have dark skin, try a warm brown.

2. For dark circles, "a creamy concealer is easier to blend near the delicate eye area," says Dubroff. (Try Lancôme Effacernes concealer, $29.50.) The goal is to brighten, so choose a color that's a notch lighter than your skin: If you're fair, look for a pinkish tone; for medium skin, something peachy; and if you have dark skin, try a warm brown.

Greg Marino/Studio D

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2. GET MATCHED

Flummoxed in the drugstore aisle? Celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson suggests bringing a concealer or foundation you already wear and looking for a similar color. Also, bring a hand mirror so you can hold up shades to your face near a window or door and see how they look in natural light. If there's no clear winner, buy your two closest matches, Dubroff suggests. "Your skin color changes with the seasons, so you really will use both." (And if you're way off, relax: Many retailers, including all CVS stores and drugstore.com, fully refund opened makeup.)

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3. MAKE SPOTS AND LINES GO POOF!

Concealers can do more than just cover up problems--some of the latest ones help treat them, too:

4. USE LESS

The secret to hiding dark circles: Go easy. "It's tempting to pile on the concealer, but too much can make your eyes seem even more tired," says Dubroff. Cover only dark skin, which is typically the inner third of the undereye area. Dab on tiny dots of color, then gently blend with your fingertip. Top it with a tiny bit of highlighting powder, like Sonia Kashuk Brightening Powder, $9.99, or liquid highlighter, such as Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfector, $30. "These contain light-reflecting particles for a natural--not matte--finish," Nelson says.

Greg Marino/Studio D

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5. EVEN IT ALL OUT

You can use concealer to balance your skin tone and skip foundation altogether. The thick formula that works on blemishes will also hide redness around your nose and mouth, pigment spots on dark skin, and shadows at the outer corners of your eyes (but skip this if you have crow's feet; it'll just emphasize the lines). Hey, look: a flawless complexion!